Billfold



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 BILLFOLD P. A. GARDNER, JR

Filed Apr July 9,- 1935.

July 9, 1935. P. A. GARDNER, .1R

BILLFOLD Filed April 20, 1932 I5 Sheets-Sheet 2 llllllllllll Vllfflllfl: drill/l GARDNER, JR

BILLFOLD July 9, 1935.

Filed April 20, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented July 9, 1935 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BILLFOLD Prince A. Gardner, Jr., St. Louis, Mo. Application April 20, 1932, Serial No. 606,331

5 Claims. (Cl. 150--38) This invention relates to billfolds; and objects of the invention are to provide an improved billfold having two elongated pockets formed by a partition wall between inner and outer walls of the billfold, said partition being' connected to the lower edge of the inner wall and otherwise detached from the remaining portions of the billfold; and to provide foldable flaps in connection with the opposite ends of the outer wall and folded to enclose the end portions of the inner wall and interlocked with flaps in connection with the lower edge of the outer wall so as to provide inwardly open pockets.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved billfold comprising a flexible member folded to form the outer wall of a pocket and to form a pair of inwardly open pockets and having interlocking connections holding the folded portions of said member in the position to provide said outer wall and said inwardly open pockets and to provide an inner wall and a partition wall cooperating with each other and with said outer wall to form a pair of elongated pockets, the end portions of the inner wall extending into said inwardly open pockets in sliding relationship, and. improved retaining means holding all of the parts of the billfold in cooperative relationship.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved billfold of the type and character herein disclosed that may be economically manufactured and sold and which is devoid of exposed stitches that might mar th'e appearance of the billfold or become broken to permit parts of the billfold to separate.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a top edge view of a billfold constructed in accordance with the present invention. y

Fig. 2 is an inner side elevation of the billfold.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view on the line ll-d of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the billfold showing details of the construction.

Fig. 6 is a view showing a part of the billfold blank before the same is folded into interlocking engagement.

Fig.v 7 is a cross sectional View approximately on the line 1 1 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view approximately on. the line 8 -8 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional View approximately on the line 9--9 of Fig. 5.

Fig. l is an inner side elevation with parts broken away showing a slightly different form of the invention.

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal transverse sectional view, a part of the outer wall being broken away.

Fig. l2 is a longitudinal sectional View on the line l2-l2 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 13 is a transverse sectional view on the line |3-I3 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 14 is a cross sectional view on the line lll-li of Fig. 10.

My improved billfold, as shown in Figs. 1 to 9, inclusive, is composed of flexible material and comprises a single section of material cut and formed to provide an elongated outer wall l having integral with one end thereof a flap 2. This flap 2 has integral with its upper portion an extension 3 folded downwardly along its line of connection with the flap 2 so as to extend downwardly between said ap 2 and the wall l when said flap 2 is folded over against the inner side of said wall l.

The opposite end of the wall I is formed integral with a frame or nap ll. An extension is integral with the upper edge of the frame or flap 4 and is folded downwardly against the inner side of said frame or flap 4, so that when said frame or apl 4 is folded over toward the inner side of the wall l, the extension 5 extends downwardly between said wall Il and said frame or flap Il.

Thus when the flap 2 and its extension 3 are t folded over, said parts form a pocket that opens inwardly and the lower edge of this pocket is also open until closed by a device provided for that purpose. Similarly when the frame or flap 4 and its folded extension 5 are folded over, said parts form an inwardly open pocket that is also .open along its lower edge until closed as herein described.

A nap 6 is formed integral with the lower edge of the wall I and is of sufficient length to form a closure for the lower edge of the pocket formed by the flap 2 and its extension. 3. This flap 6 is of approximately the same length as the flap 2 and terminates a considerable distance from the inner end of the frame or flap 4, there being relatively a considerable space between the inner ends of the inwardly open pockets. The flap 2 is provided with a pair of spaced vertical slits l (Figs. 2 and 6). The flap 6 is provided with slits 8 forming tongues 9 designed and adapted to be extended through the slits 'l and to form interlocking connection with the flap 2 when the flap 6 is folded against the exposed surface of the ap 2 in the manner shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. These slits 8 are angular so as to provide corners IIJ that will extend downwardly beyond the lower ends of the slits 1 and obtain interlocking connection with the flap 2 below the lower ends of said slits 1. The upper ends of the tongues 9 are formed with angular interlocking hook portions II that extend upwardly above the upper ends of the slits 1 and interlock with the flap 2. In making the billfold, the ap 6 is folded upwardly against the exposed surface of the flap 2 and the tongues 9, shoulders III and hooks I I are extended through the slits 1, causing the shoulders I and the hooks II to obtain interlocking connection with the inner side of the flap 2 beyond the ends of the slit 1. Cement or glue, or other appropriate fastening means, may be utilized to fasten the tongues 9, shoulders I6 and hooks I I in secure connection with the inner surface of the flap 2.

There is a considerable distance between the slits 1. The upper edge of the flap 6 is considerably below the upper edge of the flap 2, so that a. relatively long and shallow pocket is formed between the flaps 6 and 2 and this pocket opens upwardly, so that coins or other articles contained in said pocket cannot drop therefrom when the billfold is opened in its normal position.

For cooperation with the frame or flap 4, the wall I is formed with an integral flap I2 along its lower edge. This flap I2 is of approximately the same length as the frame or iiap 4 and terminates at a considerable distance from the flap 6, the transverse fold line of the billfold being between these parts. The edge of the flap I2 is formed with an integral extension I3. Notches I4 are formed in the ends of the member I2-I3, so that when the part I2 of said member is folded upwardly against the exposed surface of the lower portion of the frame 4, the extension I3 may be passed through said frame and folded downwardly and secured against the inner side of said frame by glue or other appropriate fastening means. In this manner, the lower side of the pocket between the frame 4 and its folded extension 5 is closed, thus providing an inwardly open pocket opposite and spaced from the inwardly open pocket provided by the flap 2 and its inwardly folded extension 3 and associated flap 6.

An inner wall I5 has its ends extending into the pockets formed by the flap 2 and its inwardly folded extension 3 and by the frame 4 and its inwardly folded extension 5. This inner Wall extends across the space between said pockets. A piece of thin textile fabric I6 has one end attached to an end of the wall I by stitches I1, or otherappropriate fastening means, and its opposite end attached to a rebent portion I8 in connection with the outer end of the folded extension 3. This attachment may be by means of stitches I9, or other appropriate fastening means. The opposite end of the wall I5 extends for sliding movements into the pocket formed by the frame 4 and its folded extension 5. This connection I6 permits free sliding movement of the wall I5 and prevents separation or detachment of said wall from the billfold.

A partition wall 20 is mounted between the wall I and the composite wall formed by the parts 3, 5 and I5. This partition wall extends nearly the full length of the space and pocket in which it is mounted and, in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1

to 9, inclusive, has spaced portions of its lower edge attached for short distances to the lower edges of the folded extensions 3 and' 5 by stitches.

2| (Fig. 5') or other appropriate fastening means. The partition 29 is otherwise unattached and is free to move and adjust itself with the folded extensions 3 and 6.

A narrow flexible connection 22 is atttached to each ofthe folded extensions 3 and l and are spaced apart, as shown in Fig. 5. These folded extensions extend outwardly under the lower edge of the inner wall I5 and under the lower edges of the flap 2 and the frame 4, respectively, and thence upwardly. One of these connections extends upwardly between the flaps 2 and 6 and is attached thereto, and the other connection 22 extends upwardly against the frame 4 and is covered by the member I2-I3. Thus the partition wall 29 is held in proper relationship and is held by concealed fastening means from being withdrawn.

A panel 23 is attached to the inner surface of the ends and top of the frame 4 and to the inner surface of the part I3 at the lower portion of said frame (Fig. 7).

'I'he upper marginal edge of the wallI has a thin inwardly and downwardly folded marginal portion 24 presenting a finished surface above the edge of the partition wall 20. And the lower edge of the middle portion of said wall I is formed with a short and thin upwardly turned extension 25 presenting a finished surface between the inwardly open pockets. These parts 24 and 25 are adhesively secured to the inner surface of the wall I.

According to this construction, an elongated pocket is formed between the wall I and the partition wall 20; and an elongated pocket is formed between said partition wall 26 and the wall forming members 3, 5 and I5. 'An inwardly open pocket is formed at one end of the billfold between the flap 2 and the members I5 and I6; and an inwardly open pocket is formed at the opposite end of the billfold between the member I5 and the frame and wall members 4 and 23. Further, an upwardly open shallow pocket is formed between the flaps 6 and 2.

The alternative construction of billfold shown in Figs. l0 to 14, inclusive, comprises a flexible elongated wall forming member 26 having integral with one end a flap 21 provided with a lateral extension 28 folded inwardly and downwardly between the flap 21 and the wall 26 in the manner that the extension 3 is folded inwardly and downwardly between the flap 2 and the wall I. A flap 29 is formed integral with the lower edge of the wall I and is folded upwardly against the exposed surface of the flap 21 and is interlocked therewith by tongues 30 having shoulders 3i and hooks 32 extended through slits 33 in the flap 21. 'I'hus this flap 29 closes the lower edge of the pocket between the flap 21 and the downwardly and inwardly folded extension 28 thereof and also cooperates with the flap 21 to form a shallow upwardly open pocket.

A frame or flap 34, similar to the frame or flap 4, is formed integral with the opposite end of the wall 26 and is provided on its upper edge with an integral inwardly and downwardly folded extension 35, similar to the inwardly and downwardly folded extension 5.

A flap member 36 is formed integral with the lower edge of the wall 26 below the frame 34 and is folded upwardly against the outer surface of the lower portion of said frame and an inwardly and downwardly extended portion 31 adhesively secured to the inner surface of the lower portion of said frame 34. A panel 38 is attached to the inner surface of the frame 34 and to the inner surface of the extension 31 and closes the opening in the frame. These parts cooperate to form an inwardly open pocket spaced from the inwardly open pocket at the opposite end of the billfold. An elongated partition wall 39 is mounted between the wall 26 and the wall extensions 28 and 35 and cooperates with said wall 26 to form an elongated pocket closed at its lower edge by the spaced fiaps 29 and 36 with the exception that there is a short opening between the inner ends of said fiaps.

A wall forming panel 40 has its ends extending into the inwardly open pockets at the ends of the billfold and has its end portions of its lower edge attached to the end portions of the lower edge of the partition wall 39 by stitches 4I, or other appropriate fastening means. These connections between the partition panel 39 and the wall forming member 40 are below the lower edges of the inwardly and downwardly folded extensions 28 and 35 (Fig. 14). This makes it impossible to withdraw or remove either of the members 39 or 40 from the billfold. These fastening devices 4I are concealed in the bottom of the billfold so there are no exposed or visible stitches in this device.

One end of the wall member 40 is attached to a thin flexible and pliable fabric connecting member 42 by stitches 43 and the opposite end of said member 42 is attached to the outer end of the folded extension 35 by stitches 44. These stitches 43 and 44 are entirely concealed, so that the billfold does not contain or embody any visible fasteners.'

The upper edge of the wall 26 has an inwardly and downwardly folded finishing marginal portion 45 providing a finished surface above the edge of the wall 39. And the lower edge of the wall 26 has an upwardly folded extension 46 attached to the inner surface of the wall 26 and providing a finished surface between the ends of the flaps 29 and 36.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that my improved billfold, in either of the variations thereof, is made up of a minimum number of parts attached together by invisible fasteners, thereby producing the artistic appearance of a unitary billfold made up of a single member. By this construction, I am enabled to obtain all of the benefits and advantages of a billfold made up of a single unitary member, with the additional advantages of providing more pockets in a more .convenient relationship and at the same time am enabled to avoid waste of material for the reason that the smaller parts of material may be used to form the inner partitions and wall members. The construction and arrangement of the device may be varied otherwise than as specifically shown without departure from the nature and principle of the invention. I do not restrict myself in any unessential particulars, but what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A billfold comprising an elongated wall member, a frame in connection with one end of said wall member, an extension in connection with the upper edge of said frame folded and extended downwardly between said frame and said wall member, a tab in connection with the lower edge of said wall member below and folded upwardly against said frame, a portion in connection with said tab extending through said frame and downwardly against and attached to the inner side of the lower portion of said frame, and a panel attached to the inner side of said frame and to said last named extension.

2. A billfold comprising an elongated wall member, wall portions in connection with the ends and the lower edge of said wall member forming spaced inwardly open pockets, a partition between said wall member and said wall portions and having its lower edge connected with the adjacent wall portions, a panel extending into said pockets, and a device in con.v nection with said partition extending under one of said wall portions and attached to the other of said wall portions.

3. A billfold comprising an elongated wall member, wall portions in connection with the ends and lower longitudinal edge of said wall member forming spaced inwardly open pockets, a partition between said wall member and said wall portions having its lower edge attached to the lower edges of the adjacent wall portions, and devices in connection with the lower edge of said partition extending under said adjacent wall portions and attached to the lower edges of the other of said wall portions.

4. A billfold comprising an elongated wall member, wall portions in connection with one end and the lower edge of said wall member forming an inwardly open pocket, a frame in connection with the opposite end of said wall member, an extension in connection with the upper edge of said frame folded and extended downwardly between said frame and said wall member, a tab in connection with the lower edge of said wall member below and folded upwardly against said frame. a portion in connection with said tab extending through said frame and downwardly against and attached to the inner side of the lower portion of said frame, a panel attached to the inner side of said frame and to said last named extension, a partition between said wall member and said wall'portion and said first named extension having its lower edge free from the lower edges of the adjacent wall portion and said first named extension, a panel extending into said pocket and also extending between said first named extension and said first named panel, means free from said wall portion and said first named extension attaching together the lower edges of said partition and said second named panel, and a section of pliable material connecting one end of said second named panel with said wall portion.

5. A billfold comprising an elongated wall member, wall portions in connection with one end and the lower longitudinal edge of said wall member forming an inwardly open pocket, a frame in connection with the opposite end of said wall member, a tab in connection with the lower edge of said wall member extending through said frame and attached to the inner side of said frame, a wall portion between said frame and said wall member and connected with the upper edge of said frame, a partition between said wall member and said wall portions having its lower edge attached to the lower edges of the adjacent wall portions. and devices in connection with the lower edge of said partition extending under said adjacent wall portions and attached to the lower edge of said frame and to the lower edge of the outer wall portion opposite from said frame.

PRINCE A. GARDNER, JR. 

